The question is not whether the Jets can beat the Patriots. It is: will they do it?

If they do, it will likely start with media critic Chad Pennington brutalizing the patchwork Pat secondary.

The Jets probably need the game to guarantee a playoff spot – but even more importantly, it will close the wound

Pennington opened this week with his media controversy.

Another loss in a big game and critics might really get tough on Pennington.

“They are going to have their chances,” CBS Sports’ Phil Simms said of the Jets. “Chad Pennington is going to have his chances. They had their chances the first time in Foxboro.”

The Jets (10-4) lost 13-7, but if Pennington completed a few more throws at the end the Jets might have won.

“They should have won the last time they played New England,” ESPN’s Michael Irvin said. “They have a good opportunity to straighten that out. Right now, the Jets should feel pretty good about their chances.”

New England (12-2) doesn’t look indestructible, especially after last Monday’s loss to the Dolphins.

“The Patriots are starting to leak a little bit of oil, just a little bit,” Irvin said. “Charlie Weis takes a job [with Notre Dame] and is trying to do both jobs and they lose against the Miami Dolphins, the worst team in the division and one of the worst in football.”

New England’s secondary is so banged up, receiver Troy Brown has been playing corner for weeks. This means, Irvin said, Pennington should have opportunities to make big plays.

“Chad, you have the matchups you want,” Irvin said. “Find them.”

Simms doesn’t think it just comes down to the quarterback. The reason he believes the Jets could be a formidable playoff team is because, like New England, they can beat opponents more than one way.

“The Jets have a chance because there is more than one group who can do it for them,” Simms said. “They are not reliant on, ‘OK, Chad needs to have a great game.’ That is not true. They have a lot of ways to win. That is why they can be dangerous.”